Drifting star: Mbappe under fire as real Madrid falters
Kylian Mbappe struggled to manage Real Madrid's offence in the Champions League match against Liverpool. The Royals lost 0-2, putting them in a challenging spot for future games in this competition. Many fans blame the Frenchman for this, but is it justified?
Real Madrid is grappling with a significant sports crisis. After two wins against Osasuna (4-0) and Leganes (3-0), many supporters anticipated a breakthrough in the Champions League. However, they lost the previous two matches against Lille (0-1) and AC Milan (1-3). The challenge was daunting as Real faced a formidable Liverpool at Anfield.
The task was not accomplished. Arne Slot's team defeated Real Madrid 2-0, bolstering their position as the Champions League leaders. They remain undefeated this season. This victory over the Royals was particularly satisfying for Reds fans, as they hadn't tasted such success since 2009. Kylian Mbappe was singled out as a significant reason for Los Blancos' defeat and the entire crisis.
Kylian Mbappe's poor performance against Liverpool
In the match against Liverpool, Kylian Mbappe had the opportunity to lead the attack without Vinicius Junior for the first time, aiming to demonstrate his ability to carry his team's offensive responsibilities. However, he missed a penalty and received one of the team's lowest ratings according to SofaScore, scoring 6.3 out of 10.
He managed just one shot on target, which Liverpool’s defence blocked. Additionally, a photo circulated on social media showed Mbappe in a precarious position after a collision with Virgil van Dijk.
Kylian Mbappe blamed for Real Madrid's crisis
When Mbappe arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the summer of 2024, expectations were sky-high. The transfer from PSG was described as "galactic," drawing comparisons to 2009 when Cristiano Ronaldo joined the same club. There's no comparison between what the Portuguese experienced at the onset of his Real Madrid career and Mbappe's experience.
This has led to debate over Kylian’s role in the Madrid team. Many supporters see him as the main culprit in the Royals' crisis, but is this fair? According to statistics, Mbappe has played 18 matches for Real, scoring 9 goals and providing two assists. During this time, he has logged 1,500 minutes on the pitch.
These aren't terrible figures for a forward, but they don't match a player of Mbappe’s calibre, who was supposed to be the "number one" in Carlo Ancelotti's attack from the get-go. Kylian's poor form is attributable to several factors, including off-field issues. Some time ago, he faced accusations of sexual assault. Furthermore, he frequently plays on the left wing, the position of Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian was absent in the noted match against Liverpool, allowing Mbappe to play in his natural position. Despite this, he failed to meet fan expectations. He will soon have more opportunities to demonstrate his worth, but fans' patience is wearing thin.
